Festival focus

Welcome return for Brixham Pirate Festival on 12th Anniversary

Pirates from around the British Isles welcomed the return of Brixham Pirate Festival over the first May Bank Holiday weekend. This was its pandemic-delayed 12th Anniversary, as both the 2020 and 2021 festivals had to be cancelled. The organisers knew the 2022 festival was eagerly awaited, but they were surprised by quite how many were there as pirates and fans turned out in their thousands!

Because so many had joined the Saturday Pirate Parade through town, there was no room for them all on The Quay. Crowds were packed solidly around the harbours for hours, from the Main Stage on one side to the South Quay trader areas on the other and along the outer harbour to the pontoons. That’s where this year’s special attractions, Atyla Ship Foundation and the Trafalgar Gun Company, were based.

The tall ship Atyla, always crewed by passengers, who learn to sail a tall ship during their voyage, sailed to Brixham from Bilbao, bringing some festivalgoers with her. During the festival people could tour her and learn about her charitable mission, go to an evening concert on board with Reivers Gallows and watch as she took part in the morning skirmishes over the weekend. She set sail on Monday evening for the next leg of her journey, taking working passengers around the Bay of Biscay to arrive eventually at the Plymouth Pirates Weekend on Friday.

The Trafalgar Gun Company, with a crew in early 19th century naval and sailors’ kit, brought their gun ship and gun deck to the festival. Both also joined in the skirmishes over the weekend, firing cannon and sailing up to the ships during the morning and afternoon skirmishes on Atyla and The Golden Hind. Cannon were also fired from Middle Quay, the gig club carried marauders up to the ships, close enough to fire, and other pirates fought their way on board to seize the ships. Outside skirmish times, festival-goers could visit the re-enactment area and gazebos on South Quay to talk to re-enactors or watch demonstrations.

One special difference this year was two minutes’ silence and the firing of cannon from Middle Quay on Saturday lunchtime. This was to mark all the people who have been lost due to Covid-19 and the ongoing losses in Ukraine. It was also to say a final goodbye to an avid fan of Brixham Pirate Festival, Clive Mencarini, who died in 2019 and whose ashes were to have been fired off by cannon at the cancelled 2020 festival by special request of his family.

As usual at this festival there were some glorious costumes and kit on display, with people going above and beyond – not only pirates this year, but also sea, cartoon and maritime-themed characters. These included: enough Jack Sparrows to hold a flock meeting; an incredible Ursula from The Little Mermaid; a superb Davy Jones; real parrots on pirate shoulders and life-sized parrots walking or floating; officers, gentlemen and militia; and some 18th century folk in superb, authentic finery.

The three days of live music from 13 bands and musicians got off to a grand start with local Torquay favourites Queen Anne’s Revenge, who were greeted with roars of enthusiasm by the crowd and from then on there was a glorious

Brixham appeals to pirates of all ages.

outpouring of sea shanties, folk songs, rock, Celticthemed and traditional music on stage and from musicians busking around the site.

This year also saw many traders pleased to return for the festival, selling everything from unique foods and alcohol to pirate gear, costumes, bric-a-brac, jewellery and pocket-money items such as pirate treasure maps and airbrush tattoos.

Unlike 2019, the weather was kind, sunny without too much wind, adding to the cheerful atmosphere. From those who were happy to meet old friends, listen to great music and relax at the first pirate event of the year, to those who arrived by ferry looking for a good day out on a Bank Holiday and were surprised to discover the festival, all were welcome in the historic heart of Brixham and many newcomers were heard to say, “We’ll be back next year, we didn’t realise this is such good fun!”

Magnificent parade of pirates at Conwy

Held the weekend before Pirate Plunder was due to be printed, organisers of The Original Conwy Pirate Festival on 14-15 May must have had a quiet word with Father Neptune as the sun shone brightly and the wind was a mild zephyr of warm air. After the lay-off, pirates and their wenches were delighted to meet old shipmates and forge new friendships.

The Pirate Parade was magnificently led by a piper from the Anglesey Hussars and the accompanying militia was followed by a motley band of pirates singing nautical ditties.

As in previous years,

Pirates aboard the schooner ‘Vilma’ attack the quay. Three pirates meet below the walls of Conwy Castle.

there was much cannon and musket fire, and waving of cutlasses against a background of sea shanties and the laughter of children watching the grown-ups make fools of themselves in the barrel rolling competition!

There was also a market selling pirate gear and souvenirs, which was well-supported by both pirates and visitors to the event.

Repeated in various ways over the weekend was the sentiment, “Aye, we all had a great time and can’t wait for next year!”

Last weekend seems a long way away now, but looking at the comments on Facebook everyone seems to have had a great time at this very special event. We are very fortunate to have a great team to put this event together with many new members this year who have had a big impact. I have made it a policy over the years not to single people out for praise, but this year I am going to make an exception. One member of the team has spent the last three weeks in addition to many, many hours over the last two years, preparing items for the weekend. He has designed and made all the games, he has made the gun carriages for our new cannon (these were praised by the Proof Master from the Birmingham Proof House as being of museum quality), he has transported all the kit from his house to the event, he spent all weekend being on hand to maintain all the kit and was always there with a smile on his face

A well-deserved tribute to Jon Servaes to fire a musket, load a cannon, etc. Check out the products of Glipso – Custom Re-Enactment Woodwork.

His name is Jon Servaes and I would like to thank him on behalf of you all for his major contribution and dedication to The Original Conwy Pirate Festival.

Toby Tunstall, The Pirate Shop, Conwy